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Poetry

Poetry exists in Alberta due in large part to academic institutions. Not only do many poets moonlight as professors and creative writing instructors, universities often have writer-in-residence programs where poets can earn their keep. Not surprisingly, of those profiled here, most Albertan poets have been attached to a post secondary institution in some way.

A history of poetry in Alberta is a history of the cutting edge. Alberta's first great poet was Earle Birney. Wildly influential to those who followed, Birney engaged his readers with the language of the everyday. Using this common speech to great effect in his poem, David, Birney won his first Governor General Award in 1942.

Later, in the 1970s, Douglas Barbour emerged to push the boundaries of poetry. A sound poet, he performed his work both alone and with others such as bp nichol and Stephen Scobie. Barbour used sound poetry to illuminate differences between the sight and sound of his words, their appearances and meaning. Barbour, like many of the poets profiled here, is also a university professor.

It would be wrong to suggest that all poetry in the province comes from the academe. Claire Harris has managed to ply her craft and break ground for minority writers, off of the university campus. Alberta has also produced many cowboy poets and festivals where they can share their work. Sid Marty, Charles Noble and Jon Whyte are all mountain poets of high regard, intent on describing the province's environment with honesty and without cliché.

While books of poetry rarely sell as well as novels, the poets featured here are at the top of their discipline and if you are not already familiar with their names and work, this is a great place to begin.

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